Context: As per recently released the Status of leopards in India (SLI) 2018, report, leopard population has increased by 60% in 4 years (since the last survey in 2014).
Issue in leopard population estimation:
Major threats to the leopard population:
Conclusion: We need a benchmark number against which we can evaluate the trend in leopard numbers and threats to this carnivore. Assessing numbers of cats in select sites and monitoring areas they occupy over swathes will ensure a better overview.